Summary for Mecynargus paetulus (Araneae)

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National Distribution

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Identification difficulty rating: 4

Name: Mecynargus paetulus

Authority: (O.P.-Cambridge, 1875)

Order: Arachnida: Araneae

Family: Linyphiidae

National Rarity status: NR

IUCN status: VU, criteria: D2

Records: 23

First Record: 1965

Latest Record: 2013

1992-on hectads: 5

Pre-1992 hectads: 5

Total hectads: 6

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About this species

Recorded altitude range
928m to 1214m

Species text

Distribution
The species has been recorded from Ben Lawers, Mid Perthshire, first in 1965 and on several subsequent occasions; from the Braeriach and Cairngorm-Ben Macdui plateaux, Inverness-shire, in 1981; from Creag Meagaidh, West Inverness-shire, in 1983; from Glas Leathad Mor, East Ross, in 1992; and from Glas Maol, Angus, on several occasions between 1988 and 2004. An arctic-alpine species also known from France, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway and Finland.

Habitat and ecology
M. paetulus has been found under stones above 850 m and in Nardus stricta snow-bed grassland on Creag Meagaidh. It may be associated with mat vegetation. Adults of both sexes have been found in May, June, August and September.

Status
The spider is apparently well-established on Ben Lawers and in the Cairngorms, but is very local and records have been restricted to three locations since 1992. Area of occupancy shows an apparent decline from five hectads prior to 1992 to just three hectads since that date. The habitat may be under-recorded.

Threats
Additional skiing developments, with plans to increase numbers of skiers in the existing skiing areas as well as opening up new slopes, periodically threaten the fragile high-altitude vegetation of the Cairngorms region. Hill-walking could threaten this species, its habitat being on the top of the Cairngorm plateau where the effects of trampling are quite severe.

Management and conservation
Prevent the loss of habitat to development and damage from skiing and trampling.

Text based on Dawson, I.K., Harvey, P.R., Merrett, P. & Russell-Smith, A.R. (in prep.). References

Adult Season

Adult Season Data (based on 6 records with adult season information)

Habitats

background methodology

Broad Habitat Data (based on 6 records with habitat information)

no subhabitat data available

Structural Habitat Data (based on 3 records with structural habitat information)

Habitat Detail and Method (based on 6 records with habitat detail and method information)

Structural habitat by month

Recorded management for locations with Mecynargus paetulus

Recorded substrate and hydrology for locations with Mecynargus paetulus

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